RECOMMENDING CANNABIS IN MONTANA

Medical professionals recommending medical cannabis must be physicians duly licensed to practice medicine in Montana under MCA Title 37, Chapter 3. The written certification may be signed by any Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) physician licensed in Montana. Physicians must assume primary responsibility for providing management and routine care of the patient's debilitating medical condition, complete a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current condition, review all prescription and non-prescription medications and supplements used by the patient, and attest to ongoing care. The treating or referral physician must confirm they have assumed primary responsibility for providing management and routine care of the patient’s debilitating medical condition. Physicians are required to discuss potential harms and side effects of medical cannabis with their patient. Minor applicants must have a second physician sign their form unless the first physician is an oncologist, neurologist, or epileptologist.

Physician Forms & Additional Resources

Eligible Conditions:

  • Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
  • Cancer
  • Chronic pain that is persistent and significantly interferes with daily activities
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Epilepsy or other intractable seizure disorder
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Intractable nausea or vomiting
  • Multiple Sclerosis Muscle spasms
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Medical professionals have a legal right to recommend cannabis as a treatment in any state, as protected by the First Amendment. Established by a 2004 United States Supreme Court decision to uphold earlier federal court rulings that found doctors and their patients have a fundamental Constitutional right to freely discuss treatment options.

More resources for medical professionals can be found here.